Module 1: Cells as the Basis of Life Flashcards
What are prokaryotic cells?
Primitive, simple cells that do not have a nucleus
What are the four main structures in prokaryotic cells?
Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Ribosomes
Genetic material
What is the cell membrane?
A structure that surrounds and encloses a cell
What is the cytoplasm?
The fluid part of the cells, outside of the nucleus that contains chemical substances
What are ribosomes?
Very small structures found in cytoplasm which manufacture proteins
What is genetic material?
DNA which contains all information of the cell.
What is the plasmid?
It is the circular ring of genetic material in prokaryotic cells
Which came first prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic
What are the two main groups of prokaryotic cells?
Bacteria and archaea
What are eukaryotic cells?
Much more complex cells characterised by a membrane bound nucleus
What are ogranalls?
An internal structure of a cell enclosed by a membrane and has a function
What are organisms that contain eukaryotic cells known as?
Eukaryotes
What is the magnification of a light microscope?
x1500
What type of specimens can be viewed by light microscopes?
Living and non-living
What are two advantages of light microscopes?
Inexpensive and live specimens can be viewed
What is a disadvantage of light microscopes?
Can’t magnify more than 2000
What is a TEM?
Transmission Electron Microscope
How does a TEM work?
Electrons pass through the specimen
What type of image does a TEM produce?
2D
What is the most common type of electron microscope?
TEM
What are two advantages of TEM?
Offers the most powerful magnification and high quality images
What are two disadvantages of TEM?
Sensitive to vibration and electromagnetic fields and are hard to maintain
What is a SEM?
Scanning Electron Microscope
How does SEM work?
Bombards solid specimens with a beam of electrons which do not pass through but instead are scattered
What type of image does a SEM produce?
3D
What is an advantage of SEM?
Has the highest resolution and produces really good quality images
What are two disadvantages of SEM?
Very expensive and hard to maintain
What is the cell membrane?
A selectively permeable membrane around cells which controls intake of water and other chemicals
What is protoplasm?
It is the living content of a cell
What are the three things plant cells have that animal cells do not?
Cell wall
Chloroplasts
Large, permanent vacuole
What are the two things animal cells have that plant cells do not?
Centrioles
Lysosomes
What are the 8 things both animal and plant cells have?
Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Cytoskeleton
Nucleus
Mitochondria
Endoplasmic reticulum
Golgi body
Ribosomes
What is the endoplasmic reticulum?
The network of flattened, interconnected membranes that provide transport
What is the difference between rough ER and smooth ER?
Rough have ribosomes attached whilst smooth do not
What does rough ER do?
Process protein made by the cell and synthesises lipids
What does smooth ER do?
It is the main site of lipid production
What are ribosomes and what do they do?
Small organelles made from RNA and protein which produce proteins
Where can ribosomes be found?
Free in the cytoplasm or on the surface of ER
What do golgi bodies do?
They process, package and sort cells
What are lysosomes?
Organelles which contain digestive enzymes which split complex chemical compound into simple ones
Where are lysosomes produced?
In the golgi body
What is the mitochondria?
The power house of the cell, producing energy in the form of ATP through the process of respiration
What type of membrane do mitochondria have?
Double membranes
What are cristae?
Fine folds of the inner membrane in mitochondria
What is the matrix?
Fluid in the central space of mitochondria
What is the vacuole?
A large fluid filled storage sac in the cytoplasm of a cell
What is the roll of the vacuole?
It provides support to plant cells
What are chloroplasts?
Organelles which are responsible for photosynthesis containing chlorophyll
What is chlorophyll?
Is the green pigment which traps sunlight that can then be used for photosynthesis
What type of membrane do chloroplasts have?
Double membrane
What is the stroma?
It is the liquid part of chloroplasts
What are thylakoids?
Stacks of membranes with chlorophyll on it
What are grana?
Stacks of thylakoids
What are cell walls?
Permeable structure which provides strength and support to plant cells
What are centrioles?
Form the spindles which hold chromosomes in a dividing cell